After all the celebrating, Coach ushered us to the dugout so we could pack up, clean up, and hear him speak.
“Great game, Garret.” He congratulated first, nodding towards our captain. Another round of applause and hollers rained down as Garret grinned. “Okay, okay. Save it for later. Let me talk about next week.” He looked around as we quieted down. “Next week, we have two games. Soledad High School and Foothill High school. Both away and both we haven’t seen before. Bryce will get the start on Tuesday and Brian on Thursday. As of now, I don’t plan to bench any of the regular starters until we have a solid lead in the game. But if things look tight, I won’t be afraid to use Garret or Kyle to close it out.”
“What about me, Coach?” Dave complained. “I’ll be ready to go in a couple of days.”
“You focus on rehabbing and making sure you’re in tip-top shape for Golden West the following week.” Coach shot him down. “Especially since I know you’ll be missing a couple of practices with you trip next weekend.”
Dave rubbed the back of his head and muttered. “I’m not the only one going away.”
“Where are you guys going?” Sean asked. “A family trip?”
“Yea, to Nashville.” Noah answered. Then looked at Coach. “Don’t worry, Coach. We’ll still train on vacation. You can count on me.”
I glanced at him through the corner of my eye. Noah was becoming more and more like Zeke. Was this growing up and becoming mature?
Coach dismissed us and headed out with his assistant coaches. They had to clean up the field and take care of the mound and the batter’s boxes. We finished packing up our bags and cleaning the dugout before heading out.
“Want to take a guess if those are reporters or scouts?” Kyle nodded his head at the stands. A group of adults were still seated and clearly taking notes. They stood out from the families who were gathering and waiting for us to leave the field.
I spotted Alisha talking to Kaylee, alone. No Marie. I nudged Noah and he saw what I was looking at.
“We’re going to talk to our friends real quick.” Noah said before ditching the twins.
“Tell Mom.” I reminded them before going too.
“Yo! You made it.” Noah nodded at Kaylee as we joined them.
Kaylee gave a one shoulder shrug. “Yea. I didn’t want to stay at home today.”
“I was just inviting Kaylee over for the rest of the day.” Alisha told us. “Do you guys want to come over too? We can do movies and games again?”
“Yea! Sounds fun!” Noah answered.
Alisha looked to me.
I cleared my throat, knowing she wanted me to answer for myself. “Yea.”
“You sure you don’t want to go to the cages instead?” Kaylee teased.
“Hanging with you guys is fun too.” I assured her. If anything the cages is where I find peace. It had a more calming effect on me.
“You’ll probably go tomorrow.” Kaylee said. “It’s good to decompress after a game.” She grinned. “Even if you guys crushed it.”
I wanted to nod but Noah shot me a look.
“We’re going to take a small break from the cages.” Noah explained. “Focus on getting Jake more confident for the regional tryouts in a couple of weeks by working on his fielding.”
Kaylee perked up. “Regional team?”
Noah happily gave her the background of the tryouts and how it was the start of making Team USA.
Kaylee replied. “That sounds really cool. Hey, if you guys need help, I can meet you at the park tomorrow at hit some balls for grounders or something in the air.”
“That’d be great.” Noah gave her the thumbs up. “Want to meet us there mid-morning?”
“Yea. Just let me know when you guys leave your house and I’ll leave mine.” She looked to Alisha. “You should come too. You don’t have to do anything and can just hang out with us.”
“I can still help!” Alisha claimed. “I’ll bring my glove too.” She looked over our shoulder. “Someone is talking to your parents.”
Noah and I both turned to look. A familiar face stood with our family, talking to Kyle and Dave very energetically.
“Oh. That’s Mr. Cameron.” Noah nodded and turned back to the girls. “He’s a reporter. Probably wants to talk to Jake honestly.” He looked at me. “We should probably go so he doesn’t wait so long.”
I nodded. Mr. Cameron was very nice and would definitely wait around if he had questions to ask.
“We’ll come over after we shower.” Noah told Alisha.
“Sure. Sounds good.” She looked to Kaylee. “Want to just come with me now? We can set up and start watching a movie?”
“Definitely!” Kaylee agreed instantaneously.
We said a quick goodbye and went to join our family.
Grampa reached out to pat me on the head. “That was a good homer, kid.”
“Thanks.” I smiled at him. Then I dropped the smile and scratched my cheek. “The hit to center wasn’t a very good one. I could have done something different.”
Grampa laughed. “Be careful. That kind of attitude has you sounding like Zeke.”
“That’s not a bad thing!” Noah threw his arm around my shoulders. “It just means he’s striving to be better. A good quality to have.”
Mr. Cameron laughed. “I have to say, I agree. But I believe all of you boys have that drive to do better. It’s been fun watching all of you this season. Already showing improvements from last season. Your whole team is well put together.”
“Back-to-back champions, here we come.” Noah stuck out his chest and declared. He made eye contact with Dave. “Granted, we need certain players to stop getting hurt and dragging us down.”
“I’m not even hurting.” Dave rolled his eyes. He looked at Mr. Cameron. “I’ll be getting a second shot at Golden West the next time around. Make sure to be there for that one.”
Mr. Cameron laughed. “Sure. I’ll definitely have to be at that one. I honestly think they’re you’re biggest opponent in the league. With Servite being a close second. For opposite reasons. One got the most hits off of you guys while the other held you to the least amount.”
Kyle scoffed. “I held those losers down to three hits all game. They ain’t sh- much.” He stopped himself from cursing in front of Mom. “I think Golden West is better because at least they don’t hide from Jake.”
I instinctively nodded, preferring the team that pitched to me than the one who didn’t.
“It’s all about strategy.” Mr. Cameron smiled. “The two of them play for the first time next week, so it’ll be interesting to see who will get that number two spot behind you guys.”
“My money is on Servite.” Noah offered. “That have good pitching and coaching. We had a close game against them. Golden West wouldn’t be a close game if they didn’t hurt Dave.”
“Yea!” Dave immediately chimed in.
“Sounds like a family divided.” Mr. Cameron joked.
“Jake just like Golden West because they let him hit.” Noah waved his hand around carelessly. He looked at me. “Who would win? Servite or Golden West?”
I shrugged. “It’s not like I know all their pitchers.”
“That Cody guy we faced from Servite was good.”
I shrugged again. “He has a good pickoff…” I was still able to get a hit off of him.
Mr. Cameron chuckled. “Do you guys mind if I quote you or any of this conversation?”
None of us looked sure so we all looked to Mom.
Mom gave Mr. Cameron a small nod. “As long as you leave out Kyle’s comments. I don’t want him looking like a ruffian.”
Mr. Cameron nodded in understanding. “Of course. I wouldn’t paint any of your boys in a bad light. They’re all good kids. Not just good at baseball, but personality-wise. You’ve raised them up well.”
Mom beamed, happy for us to be complimented. “We try to steer them in the right direction.”
“There’s always speed bumps.” Dad grinned. “Teenage boys have a lot of growing up to do. As long as they know how to admit their wrongdoings and mistakes, they’ll know how to make it right.”
Mom nodded in agreement. “Right. It’s a little overwhelming knowing that I’ll have two more adults soon.” She wiped the corner of her eyes.
Noah rolled his eyes. “Adults? God only knows how they’ll survive in the future.”
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Kyle pulled him into a headlock. “I’ll be just fine, thank you.” He looked at Mr. Cameron. “Have you heard anything from the grapevine about me being drafted?”
“I’ve heard that you’re committing to Vanderbilt actually.” He raised an eyebrow.
“As a backup plan!” Kyle hurried to say, letting go of Noah. “Can you leak that for me? Just make sure my name is out there and that I’m looking forward to entering the draft?”
Mr. Cameron nodded. “Of course I can. I don’t know how many will take my word for it.” He looked to Dave. “Are you still set on college?”
Dave nodded. “Yea, I like the relationship I’m starting with the pitching coach. He really knows what he’s talking about and I feel like I can develop well there.” He grinned. “Plus, I know it’ll make my mom happy.”
Mom pulled him into a hug.
“He’s trying to become the favorite.” Noah snorted. He elbowed me. “When he leaves for college and Kyle goes elsewhere, we’ll easily be the favorites then.”
I laughed.
Mr. Cameron looked to us. “And what about you two? Any college you want to visit this summer? Or are you playing travel ball? I know last summer you two took it easy.”
“We’re actually trying out for the regional team in a couple of weeks.” Noah started to bounce excitedly. He explained the early parts of the plan to Mr. Cameron.
Mr. Cameron listed and nodded along. “I can’t say I know the process well, but I’ll be cheering you boys on. I’ll make sure to pay more attention to it. It’s also another good way to get noticed by colleges and scouts. Especially playing top tier players from other states.” He paused and glanced at me, then back at Noah. “I don’t want you thinking I’m looking down on you Noah, but-“
“You don’t think I’ll make it.” Noah finished for him. “Yea, I know I don’t shine as bright as Jake. But I think I can make it through round one. Round two is where I’ll run into my challenge.” He shrugged. “If I don’t make it, I’ll try another way to get noticed by Team USA. Maybe get invited to one of their special events in the fall. I won’t give up.”
Mr. Cameron looked to me again, lips pressed together. “Don’t take this the wrong way either, Jake. But will you be able to play without any of your brothers on the team? I know it’s a little soon.”
“We’re not ruling it out.” Dad spoke up. “We actually just started talking about this this morning. So it’s still new and a work in progress.”
He nodded, understanding my feelings well. “I’ll leave it at ‘good luck’ then.”
